Novo Nordisk Partners with China Cardiovascular Health Alliance to Advance Cardiovascular-Metabolic Management

Shanghai, November 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE), Novo Nordisk and the Chinese Cardiovascular Association officially launched their collaboration. The two parties will jointly establish the "Cardiometabolic Academy," utilizing the association’s platform to conduct academic exchange activities through various channels and formats. These efforts aim to promote the management concepts for cardiovascular diseases combined with diabetes and other metabolic disorders, while exploring standardized diagnosis and treatment models centered on patients and involving multidisciplinary cooperation. This initiative will further advance the standardization of comprehensive cardiometabolic disease management. The project is expected to reach approximately 4,000 doctors across around 300 hospitals within one year.

Novo Nordisk and Chinese Cardiovascular Health Alliance Officially Launch Collaboration

Epidemiological data shows that the coexistence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in China is very severe.^[1]。Coronary HeartUp to 52.9% of hospitalized patients have comorbid diabetes.^[2]One in every three patients with type 2 diabetes has cardiovascular disease.^[3]Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes.^[4]Therefore, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes require interdisciplinary collaboration for diagnosis and treatment, strengthening the comprehensive management of diseases and improving patient outcomes. As an emerging discipline, cardiometabolic medicine represents the trend of multidisciplinary integration between cardiology, endocrinology, and other specialties. It advocates for the comprehensive management of cardiovascular diseases and multiple metabolic risk factors to improve cardiovascular outcomes and reduce the disease burden.

The prevention and treatment of major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes are one of the key focuses of the "Healthy China Action (2019-2030)." President of the Chinese Cardiovascular Association, Academician Ge Junbo, stated: "We hope the widespread coverage of the 'Cardiovascular Metabolism Academy' project will enhance cardiovascular doctors' understanding and attention to the management of cardiovascular metabolic diseases, and together we can explore effective comprehensive management methods. We believe that through our joint efforts, more Chinese patients with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases will benefit from scientific treatment, thereby achieving an early arrival of the turning point in the decline of cardiovascular events in China."

Metabolic cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and obesity increase the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality for patients. Professor Huo Yong, Vice Chairman of the China Cardiovascular Health Alliance, pointed out that the control rate of cardiovascular risk factors in China remains generally low, with significant room for improvement. He mentioned, "In recent years, new concepts and approaches in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases have continuously emerged both domestically and internationally, bringing new changes to clinical practices in blood sugar control, lipid reduction, and more. These also lay the foundation for further exploration into the future management of cardiometabolic diseases. Only when clinicians fully and scientifically understand and apply these new concepts and methods can they help patients more effectively manage cardiovascular risk factors, thereby reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular events."

Among them, in the field of diabetes treatment, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), which has demonstrated cardiovascular metabolic benefits, is gradually gaining a higher status in major guidelines. The "Chinese Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (2020 Edition)" recommends that type 2 diabetes patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or high-risk factors should prioritize the combination use of GLP-1 RAs or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) with proven ASCVD benefits.^[5]。

Novo Nordisk’s Senior Vice President, Global, and President of Greater China, Zhou Xiaping, stated: “On the journey to transform diabetes and other severe chronic diseases in China, Novo Nordisk is very pleased to be in sync with the Chinese Cardiovascular Association. For nearly a century, Novo Nordisk has remained patient-centered. This collaboration marks a significant exploration by Novo Nordisk in shifting disease management concepts towards multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment, ensuring comprehensive benefits for patients. We believe that with the professional expertise of both parties, the 'Cardiometabolic Academy' will help enhance healthcare professionals’ understanding of cardiometabolic management concepts, better serving clinical practices, benefiting more patients, and supporting the 'Healthy China Initiative.' Novo Nordisk will also continue to introduce innovative therapeutic drugs that balance blood glucose control with cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, providing more ideal integrated management solutions for healthcare professionals and patients.”

^[1]Chinese Journal of Cardiology, 2021,49(7) : 656-672. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112148-20210114-00050

^[2] Hu DY, et al. Eur Heart J. 2006 (27); 2573-2579.

^[3] Hong Tianpei., et al. CAPTURE. GW-ICC 2020 Poster: GW31 –e1199. 

^[4]Chinese Diabetes Society, Chinese Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (2017 Edition).

^[5]Chinese Society of Endocrinology, Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in China (2020 Edition) [J]. Chinese Journal of Diabetes, 2021, 13(4): 315-409. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115791-20210221-00095.